Running Away From Home Campaign (25 May 2017)

Last year in West
Yorkshire just over 9,500 people were involved in over 20,000
missing occurrences, with over 60% of reports involving children or
young people.*

With a total of 5,263 adults and 4,172 children involved in
missing events between 1 April 2016 and 31 March 2017 (75 had no
age recorded) the statistics show that someone was reported missing
once every 55 minutes that year.

A child was reported missing approximately once every 2 hours 6
minutes.

West Yorkshire Police are releasing the statistics alongside key
partners the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Mark
Burns-Williamson, the NSPCC, the Missing People charity and all
five Local Safeguarding Children Boards to mark International
Missing Children's Day on 25 May.

The nine organisations are joining together with the aim of
encouraging young people to seek help and support as an alternative
to going missing.

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster, of West Yorkshire Police,
said: "Young people in particular can run away for a variety of
reasons - there is no simple reason for why it happens.

"Reasons can include but are not limited to children being at
risk of child sexual exploitation, mental health issues and issues
around their sexuality. Whilst the reasons may be varied the impact
rarely is.

"The impact of the child or young person running away can be
terrible. The statistics show that we as a Force deal with a lot of
missing children and young people and we see the impact it has, not
only upon the individual who goes missing, but their friends and
loved ones too.

"That is why we are working with the NSPCC, Runaway Helpline,
the Police and Crime Commissioner and all five local Safeguarding
Children Boards to support the International Missing Children's Day
- to show children and young people thinking of running away that
help is available, regardless of the problems they are facing."

Artwork has been produced with the aim of getting the message
across that there is an alternative to running away. It has been
produced after discussions with young people about what would have
the most impact for someone of their age.

Paid for advertising on social media has also been taken out in
a bid to spread the word as far and as wide as possible.

Mr Burns-Williamson held an event in December with partners on
how to tackle the issue and share best practice as West Yorkshire
Police receive nearly 5,000 calls about missing people each
year.

"We need to identify how we can work better together to tackle
the root causes which are often complex, with the aim of preventing
people from going missing in the first place," he added.

"The police are put under great pressure to trace missing people
and awareness raising such as this on International Missing
Children's Day is crucial to let children and young people know
there is support out there for them.

"Missing people is now a key priority within the Police and
Crime Plan and we are working with West Yorkshire Police and
partners to share information and best practice to do our best to
keep our children and young people safe."

An NSPCC spokesperson said: "We know from calls to our Childline
service that children go missing for many reasons, including
bullying, abuse or being unhappy at home. Whatever a young person
is going through, it's important they remember help and support is
always available.

"On International Missing Children's Day 2017 we would urge
anyone who is considering running away to stop and talk to someone,
be that a trusted adult or trained counsellors at the runaway
helpline. You might feel like there's nowhere else to turn, but
running away is never the answer.

"This campaign is vital to reach out to those who feel that
their only option is to run away, to assure them there is always
another choice.

Adults who are concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC
helpline in confidence, 24 hours a day seven days a week, on 0800
808 5000. Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or at
www.childline.org.uk"

A spokesperson for
the Runaway Helpline, said: "We understand that almost everybody
who runs away from home is experiencing a challenge of some kind in
their life. Unfortunately, being away from home can make a person
vulnerable and put them in even more danger, particularly if they
are young. Runaway Helpline has been supporting young people for
many years and is run by the UK charity Missing People. We offer a
24 hour helpline which is free and confidential for anybody who is
away from home, thinking about running away, or who has returned
from being away. We're here to listen and offer support, but not
judge or tell anybody what to do."

Runaway Helpline can help you get a message back to your parents
to let them know that you are safe - but only if you want them
to.

All contact is confidential and they can't find out where you
are unless you choose to tell them.

You can text or phone them even if you have no credit left on
your mobile phone.

Childline: Childline advisors are trained to help with any
problems you are having at home that are making you think about
going missing. Calls to ChildLine are completely confidential and
free, even if you call from a mobile phone. Call 0800 1111